Japanese Quince

Chaenomeles japonica also known as Japanese quince is a genus of 3 species of deciduous shrub that grows around 3 meters high and 5 meters wide, that originate in woodland in China and Japan and wear early flowers that bring color in the early spring garden. This plant withstands frost, is fully hardy and can stands to about -25 Celsius degrees (-13 F), has hermaphrodite flowers that are pollinated by bees and then form apple-like, edible, aromatic yellow to green or purplish green fruits in the autumn.

A very ornamental plant, grow best in a shrub border or on a bank or trained against a south-facing wall. They can also be useful as ground cover or low hedging. Prefer a deep moist well-drained, fertile soil but can grow well in heavy clay soils also but may become chlorotic on very alkaline soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production.

You can propagate Japanese quince by sowing seeds as sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn, in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in february in a greenhouse. Seeds will germinate usually within 6 weeks. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If they grow well, the seedling should be large enough to plant out in the summer, but they will benefit if some protection is offered in their first winter. If you are not sure and want to protect them more than plant them out in the late spring of the nest year.

You can also propagate Japanese quince from semi-ripe cuttings of half-ripe wood, in summer, in an open frame or from cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, in mid autumn, in a cold frame. Layering is also possible in autumn - a sure and easy method, but it takes 12 months to succeed.

Fruits can be consumed cooked, even they are very harsh and acid they become fragrant when cooked. Can be used for jams, jellies and as a flavoring with cooked apples.